Drain product and method for use thereof

ABSTRACT

Drain products/systems and methods for installation are provided for diverting water away from a structure, e.g., a home&#39;s foundation. The drain products/systems are designed for use with conventional gutter and downspout systems and are adapted for installation/use at ground level. The disclosed drain products/systems are defined by a base and a side wall that surrounds the base on three sides thereof. The side wall which surrounds the base is typically defined by an inner wall portion, a bridging portion and an outer wall portion. The outer wall portion is advantageously of greater height than the inner wall portion. The difference in height between the outer wall portion and the inner wall portion typically defines a downwardly extending U-shaped portion. The disclosed drain products/systems offer superior flexibility to homeowners and/or contractors/builders, permitting efficient and reliable installation and use in countless terrains and environmental circumstances.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION

The present application claims the benefit of co-pending, commonly assigned provisional patent application entitled “Enhanced Drain Product and Method for Use Thereof,” which was filed on Oct. 23, 2003 and assigned Ser. No. 60/513,697. The entire contents of the foregoing provisional patent application are incorporated herein by reference.

BACKGROUND

1. Technical Field

The present disclosure relates to an enhanced drain product and, more particularly, to a product that provides enhanced gutter down spout functionalities. The present disclosure further provides methods for use of the disclosed drain products, including uses that reflect and/or provide increased flexibility and improved functionalities.

2. Background of the Disclosure

Home owners are routinely confronted with the need to funnel water away from their homes, particularly water that is collected in a gutter system and fed downward to ground level along the sides of the home. Thus, as rain water strikes a home's roof, it is generally directed to gutters that are positioned in a substantially horizontal orientation. Water is generally directed to the gutter system based on the pitch of the roof. At spaced positions along the sides of the home, water is generally piped downward through vertically oriented pipes/gutters, i.e., downspouts. In multi-floor homes, water may be directed downward from the upper-most roof to the next-highest roof, and so forth, until the water is ultimately piped to ground level. The gutters and downspouts are generally fabricated from aluminum or vinyl/plastic.

At ground level, it is generally desirable to direct the water away from the foundation of the home, e.g., to prevent/minimize potential water damage to the home's foundation and/or undesirable erosion in the region(s) surrounding the home. In some instances, below-ground piping is provided that communicates with the downspout(s) and channels water away from the home below grade. Such below-grade systems are desirable, but are frequently not employed for a variety of reasons, e.g., cost of installation, issues with surrounding terrain (e.g., sidewalks, landscaping, underground impediments, etc.).

In the absence of underground drainage systems, home owners frequently employ an above-ground gutter that communicates with the downspout and extends away from the home. The gutter is typically angled relative to the side of the home, such that water feeds through the gutter under the force of gravity. Such systems are generally unsightly, often extending for lengths of several feet, and interfere with landscaping alternatives. Alternatively, home owners frequently employ plastic and/or cement “splash blocks.” Splash blocks may be positioned at the outlet of each downspout and are intended to divert water away from the home/foundation.

Despite efforts to date, a need remains for a drain system that cooperates with existing gutter/downspout systems to effectively and inexpensively divert water away from a home. In addition, a need exists for drain products that provide enhanced flexibility in installation/use, so as to accommodate the varied circumstances confronting homeowners without sacrificing functionality and effectiveness.

SUMMARY OF THE DISCLOSURE

According to the present disclosure, advantageous drain products/systems are provided for use in diverting water away from a home/foundation. The disclosed drain products/systems are designed for use with conventional gutter and downspout systems and are adapted for installation/use at ground level. Exemplary embodiments of the disclosed drain products/systems offer superior flexibility to homeowners and/or contractors/builders, permitting efficient and reliable installation and use in countless terrains and environmental circumstances.

According to a first exemplary drain product of the present disclosure, the drain product includes a base and a side wall that surrounds the base on three sides thereof. As used herein, the term “surrounding the base” means that the side wall substantially surrounds the base. However, the term “surrounding the base” does not preclude the possibility that the base may be unbounded by the side wall to a limited degree, provided such unbounded region does not undermine the functionality associated with the disclosed drain product, namely diverting water away from a building structure's foundation.

The side wall which surrounds the base is typically defined by an inner wall portion, a bridging portion and an outer wall portion. According to the present disclosure, the outer wall portion is advantageously of greater height than the inner wall portion. In a presently preferred embodiment of the disclosed drain product, the difference in height between the outer wall portion and the inner wall portion is approximately 2½ inches. The difference in height between the outer wall portion and the inner wall portion typically defines a downwardly extending U-shaped portion. The difference in height between the outer wall portion and the inner wall portion permits the disclosed drain product to be easily positioned in a desired manner, e.g., at a desired angle relative to grade, and further permits the disclosed drain product, once installed, to exhibit greater stability than prior art drain products.

According to further exemplary embodiments of the present disclosure, the base may advantageously include one or more flow diverters. The flow diverters may take a variety of forms, e.g., spaced, upstanding ridges of various geometric orientations. Exemplary embodiments of the disclosed drain product may also be characterized in that the base flares outward from an enclosed end to an open end and/or a side wall that includes an upwardly extending region at an enclosed end of the base that is of greater height.

The disclosed drain product may be fabricated from a variety of materials, including a plastic, fiberglass, composite material or cement. The disclosed drain product may advantageously include a feature that facilitates cutting the base/side wall to a desired length, e.g., one or more score lines at predetermined locations. In addition, the outer wall portion may include markings or indicia showing a height relative to the edge thereof.

The present disclosure also provides an advantageous method for employing a drain product. According to exemplary implementations of such method, the following steps may be employed:

providing a drain product that includes (i) a base and (ii) a side wall surrounding the base on three sides thereof, the side wall being defined by an inner wall portion, a bridging portion and an outer wall portion and wherein the outer wall portion is of greater height than the inner wall portion to define a downwardly extending U-shaped portion; and

implanting the drain product such that the downwardly extending U-shaped portion is at least partially below ground level.

Additional advantageous features and functionalities of the disclosed drain products/systems of the present disclosure, and methods for use thereof, will be apparent to persons skilled in the art from the detailed description which follows.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES

To assist persons skilled in the art in making and using the disclosed drain products/systems, reference will be made to the enclosed figures wherein:

FIG. 1 is a perspective top view of a first exemplary drain product/system according to the present disclosure; and

FIG. 2 is a perspective top view of a second exemplary drain product/system according to the present disclosure.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF EXEMPLARY EMBODIMENTS

The present disclosure provides advantageous drain products/systems for use in diverting water away from a building structure, e.g., a home or the like. In diverting water from a building structure, the disclosed drain products/systems are generally effective in guiding of funneling water away from the structure's foundation. The disclosed drain products/systems are designed for use with conventional gutter and downspout systems and are generally adapted for installation/use at ground level. Exemplary embodiments of the disclosed drain products/systems offer superior flexibility to homeowners and/or contractors/builders, permitting efficient and reliable installation and use in countless terrains and environmental circumstances.

With initial reference to FIG. 1, an exemplary drain product 100 is depicted that includes a base 102 and a side wall 104 that surrounds base 102 on three sides thereof. Side wall 104 is generally contiguous with and integral to base 102, and the entire drain product 100 may be advantageously molded or cast as a single unit. Of note, base 102 generally flares outward at its open end 106 to facilitate dispersal of water that is processed by drain product 100.

In an exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure, drain product 100 may define an outer dimension of six inches at its enclosed end and twelve inches at its open end 106. Alternative dimensional relationships may be employed, as will be apparent to persons skilled in the art and, indeed, it is contemplated that a non-flared geometry may be employed without departing from the spirit and/or scope of the present disclosure. The disclosed drain product may be advantageously fabricated from a plastic, fiberglass and/or composite materials, or may be cast from a cement or the like.

Side wall 104 is of particular significance for purposes of the present disclosure. Side wall 104 may be viewed as having an inner wall component 104A and an outer wall component 104C that are joined by a bridging portion 104B, even though the entire structure is typically of integral construction. In the exemplary embodiment of FIG. 1, bridging portion 104B is generally arcuate in geometry, although alternative and/or non-uniform bridging geometries may be employed, e.g., a squared-off bridging geometry may be employed if desired. According to the present disclosure, the outer wall 104C has a greater length/height than the inner wall 104A, thereby providing a downwardly directed, substantially U-shaped extension.

The U-shaped extension defined by side wall 104 is particularly advantageous because it permits drain product 100 to be fixedly positioned with respect to the applicable terrain, e.g., with respect to the ground surrounding a structure, home or other foundation. Thus, the U-shaped extension may be implanted in the ground to stabilize/secure drain product 100. In implanting the U-shaped extension, the user may adjust the “grade” of the base 102 relative to the ground to achieve the desired water flow. By implanting the open end 106 more deeply than the closed end, for example, the user can affect a more extreme downward slope for water flow along base 102.

The overall height/dimension of the extension portion of side wall 104 may vary, as will be appreciated by persons skilled in the art. In the exemplary embodiment of FIG. 1, the inner wall component 104A is approximately 1½ inches in height, whereas the outer wall component 104C is approximately 4 inches in height. Thus, the exemplary U-shaped extension for drain product 100 is approximately 2½ inches in height/length. However, it is to be understood that the dimensions noted herein are merely exemplary and are not limiting with respect to the present disclosure. Alternative dimensions are contemplated and may be employed without departing from the spirit and/or scope of the present disclosure, as will be readily apparent from the detailed description herein and from the knowledge and experiences of persons skilled in the art.

By implanting drain product 100 relative to the ground, i.e., with the U-shaped extension implanted below ground level (in whole or in part), drain product 100 is substantially stabilized such that lateral displacement thereof is prevented or, at a minimum, substantially limited. Implantation may be achieved in a variety of ways, e.g., by placing the drain product 100 on the ground and hammering/pressing downward, e.g., with a shovel, sledge hammer or the like, or by digging a channel and placing the U-shaped extension therein, or by back-filling around the drain product once positioned in the desired location. According to preferred embodiments of the present disclosure, depth indicia or markings are provided on the outer wall component 104C to facilitate implantation thereof, e.g., to facilitate leveling and/or sloping of drain product in the desired manner. Thus, for the disclosed embodiment of FIG. 1, it is contemplated that indicia/markings may be provided at 1″ or ½″ intervals, or simply at the 2½ height relative to the edge of the U-shaped extension. Once implanted, the stabilized drain product effectively diverts water away from a home/foundation while offering a sufficiently low profile that desired functions may be performed thereover, e.g., mowing or the like.

A series of flow diverters or ridges 108 may be advantageously formed along base 102, e.g., to moderate and/or spread the water flow. The disclosed flow diverters/ridges may be molded/cast in place during fabrication of drain product 100, or may be added to base 102 as an ancillary component. In the exemplary embodiment of FIG. 1, the flow diverters/ridges 108 are angularly criss-crossed. Alternative geometries, relative orientations, dimensions, quantities and materials of construction may be employed for flow diverters/ridges 108, as will be apparent to persons skilled in the art.

The overall length of exemplary drain product 100 is six feet. However, it is contemplated that drain products according to the present disclosure may be provided of different lengths, e.g., eight feet, ten feet, etc. Moreover, drain products according to the present disclosure may include features, e.g., score lines, that facilitate length adjustment. Thus, it is contemplated according to the present disclosure that a drain product of an initial length, e.g., ten feet, may have score lines at lengths of six feet and/or eight feet, etc., such that a user may “cut-off” or remove section(s) of the drain product to shorten the overall length thereof. In this way, increased flexibility and enhanced functionality may be imparted to exemplary embodiments of the present disclosure.

In sum and with reference to the exemplary embodiment of FIG. 1, the disclosed drain product offers advantageous drainage properties for use with conventional gutter/downspout systems. The drain product may be offered in 6 foot lengths and optionally can be cut down to a desired size. For exemplary embodiments of the present disclosure, the width is 6″ at its enclosed end, i.e., the end that receives the water flow from a downspout, and flares out to 12″ at its open end. The height of the side wall is 1½ inches relative to the base, i.e., as it surrounds the base, but 4 inches on the outside. There are diagonal upraised ridges in the inside bottom to slow down and spread out rain water.

The disclosed drain product is to be implanted in the soil, e.g., to its 2½″ marks which are imprinted on its sides, with the front end even with the ground. This placement of the disclosed drain product enables users to mow over the drain product, instead of having to trim separately. The disclosed drain product also can be positioned to have a pitch or slope to enhance drainage, if needed or desired.

With reference to FIG. 2, an alternative exemplary drain product 200 is depicted. Drain product 200 includes a base 202 and a side wall 204 that surrounds base 202 on three sides thereof. Side wall 204 is generally contiguous with and integral to base 202, and the entire drain product 200 may be advantageously molded or cast as a single unit. Of note, base 202 generally flares outward at its open end 206 to facilitate dispersal of water that is processed by drain product 200. Exemplary embodiments of the disclosed drain product 200 define an outer dimension of eight inches at its enclosed end and twelve inches at its open end 206. Alternative dimensional relationships may be employed, as will be apparent to persons skilled in the art and, indeed, it is contemplated that a non-flared geometry may be employed without departing from the spirit and/or scope of the present disclosure. The disclosed drain product may be advantageously fabricated from a plastic, fiberglass and/or composite materials, or may be cast from a cement or the like.

Side wall 204 is of particular significance for purposes of the present disclosure. Side wall 204 may be viewed as having an inner wall component 204A and an outer wall component 204C that are joined by a bridging portion 204B, even though the entire structure is generally of integral construction. In the exemplary embodiment of FIG. 2 (and unlike drain product 100 of FIG. 1), side wall 204 includes an upwardly extended, substantially U-shaped region 212 at the enclosed end thereof. This upwardly extended region 212 further enhances the capture and diversion of water received by drain product 200 toward the open end 206 thereof. In the disclosed embodiment, the overall height of outer wall 204C is approximately 4″, except for the first 12″ of the length and the enclosed end thereof, wherein the height is approximately 6″. Thus, the depth inside the drain product 200 (i.e., from bridging region 204B to base 202) is approximately 3½″ for the first 12″ of length, and then reduces to 1½″ for the remaining length. Alternative lengths and overall configurations of upwardly extending region 212 may be employed, as will be apparent to persons skilled in the art.

In the exemplary embodiment of FIG. 2, bridging portion 204B is generally arcuate in geometry, although alternative and/or non-uniform bridging geometries may be employed, e.g., a squared-off bridging geometry may be employed if desired. According to the present disclosure, the outer wall 204C has a greater length/height than the inner wall 204A, thereby providing a downwardly directed, substantially U-shaped extension.

The U-shaped extension defined by side wall 204 is particularly advantageous because it permits drain product 200 to be fixedly positioned with respect to the applicable terrain, e.g., with respect to the ground surrounding a structure, home or other foundation. Thus, the U-shaped extension may be implanted in the ground to stabilize/secure drain product 200. In implanting the U-shaped extension, the user may adjust the “grade” of the base 202 relative to the ground to achieve the desired water flow. By implanting the open end 206 more deeply than the closed end, for example, the user can affect a more extreme downward slope for water flow along base 202. The overall height/dimension of the extension portion of side wall 204 may vary, as will be appreciated by persons skilled in the art.

As noted above, in the exemplary embodiment of FIG. 2, the inner wall component 204A is approximately 1½ inches in height (except in the upwardly extending region 212), whereas the outer wall component 204C is approximately 4 inches in height.

By implanting drain product 200 relative to the ground, i.e., with the U-shaped extension implanted below ground level (in whole or in part), drain product 200 is substantially stabilized such that lateral displacement thereof is prevented or, at a minimum, substantially limited. Implantation may be achieved in a variety of ways, e.g., by placing the drain product 200 on the ground and hammering/pressing downward, e.g., with a shovel, sledge hammer or the like, or by digging a channel and placing the U-shaped extension therein, or by back-filling around the drain product once positioned in the desired location.

According to preferred embodiments of the present disclosure, depth indicia or markings are provided on the outer wall component 204C to facilitate implantation thereof, e.g., to facilitate leveling and/or sloping of drain product in the desired manner. Thus, for exemplary embodiments of the disclosed drain product 200, it is contemplated that indicia/markings may be provided at 1″ or ½″ intervals, or simply at the 2½ height relative to the edge of the U-shaped extension. Once implanted, the stabilized drain product effectively diverts water away from a building, home or other foundation, while offering a sufficiently low profile (particularly in the region downward of upward extension 212) that desired functions may be performed thereover, e.g., mowing or the like.

A series of flow diverters or ridges 208 may be advantageously formed along base 202, e.g., to moderate and/or spread the water flow. The disclosed flow diverters/ridges may be molded/cast in place during fabrication of drain product 200, or may be added to base 202 as an ancillary component. In the exemplary embodiment of FIG. 2, the flow diverters/ridges 208 are angularly criss-crossed. Alternative geometries, relative orientations, dimensions, quantities and materials of construction may be employed for flow diverters/ridges 208, as will be apparent to persons skilled in the art.

The overall length of exemplary drain product 200 is six feet. However, it is contemplated that drain products according to the present disclosure may be provided of different lengths, e.g., eight feet, ten feet, etc. Moreover, drain products according to the present disclosure may include features, e.g., score lines, that facilitate length adjustment. Thus, it is contemplated according to the present disclosure that a drain product of an initial length, e.g., ten feet, may have score lines at lengths of six feet and/or eight feet, etc., such that a user may “cut-off” or remove section(s) of the drain product to shorten the overall length thereof. In this way, increased flexibility and enhanced functionality may be imparted to exemplary embodiments of the present disclosure.

In sum and with reference to the exemplary embodiment of FIG. 2, the disclosed drain product offers advantageous drainage properties for use with conventional gutter/downspout systems. The drain product may be offered in 6 foot lengths and optionally can-be cut down to a desired size. For the schematically depicted embodiment, the width is 8″ at its enclosed end, i.e., the end that receives the water flow from a downspout, and flares out to 12″ at its open end. The height of the side wall varies. At the enclosed end, the height is approximately 3½ inches relative to base 202 (to enhance water collection and reduce outward “splashing” of water therefrom), whereas downward from the enclosed end the height is 1½ inches relative to the base. The outer wall is 2½ inches greater than the inner wall, thereby defining a U-shaped extension that may be implanted in the soil/ground, as described herein. There are criss-crossing upraised ridges in the inside bottom to slow down and spread out rain water.

The disclosed drain product is advantageously implanted in the soil, e.g., to its 2½″ marks which are imprinted on its sides, with the front end even with the ground. This placement of the disclosed drain product enables users to mow over the drain product (downward of the upwardly extending U-shaped region), instead of having to trim separately. The disclosed drain product also can be positioned to have a pitch or slope to enhance drainage, if needed or desired.

Thus, according to a preferred implantation method of the present disclosure, the method entails: (i) providing a drain product that includes a base and a side wall surrounding the base on three sides thereof, the side wall being defined by an inner wall portion, a bridging portion and an outer wall portion and wherein the outer wall portion is of greater height than the inner wall portion to define a downwardly extending U-shaped portion; and (ii) implanting the drain product such that the downwardly extending U-shaped portion is at least partially below ground level.

Although the disclosed exemplary drain products/systems and methods of use have been described with reference to exemplary embodiments thereof, the present disclosure is not to be limited to such specifically disclosed embodiments. Rather, various modifications and/or variations may be employed without departing from the overall spirit and scope of the present disclosure, as will be apparent to persons of ordinary skill in the art. 

1. A drain product comprising: (a) a base; (b) a side wall surrounding the base on three sides thereof, the side wall being defined by an inner wall portion, a bridging portion and an outer wall portion, wherein the outer wall portion is of greater height than the inner wall portion.
 2. A drain product according to claim 1, wherein the base includes flow one or more flow diverters.
 3. A drain product according to claim 2, wherein said one or more flow diverters include at least one ridge.
 4. A drain product according to claim 1, wherein the base flares outward from an enclosed end to an open end.
 5. A drain product according to claim 1, wherein the difference in height between the outer wall portion and the inner wall portion is approximately 2½ inches.
 6. A drain product according to claim 1, wherein the difference in height between the outer wall portion and the inner wall portion defines a downwardly extending U-shaped portion.
 7. A drain product according to claim 1, wherein the side wall includes an upwardly extending region at an enclosed end of the base that is of greater height.
 8. A drain product according to claim 1, wherein the drain product is fabricated from a plastic, fiberglass, composite material or cement.
 9. A drain product according to claim 1, wherein the drain products includes a feature that facilitates cutting at least one of the base and side wall to a desired length.
 10. A drain product according to claim 9, wherein the feature is one or more score lines.
 11. A drain product according to claim 1, wherein the outer wall portion includes markings or indicia showing a height relative to the edge thereof.
 12. A method for employing a drain product, comprising: (a) providing a drain product that includes (i) a base and (ii) a side wall surrounding the base on three sides thereof, the side wall being defined by an inner wall portion, a bridging portion and an outer wall portion and wherein the outer wall portion is of greater height than the inner wall portion to define a downwardly extending U-shaped portion; (b) implanting the drain product such that the downwardly extending U- shaped portion is at least partially below ground level.
 13. A method according to claim 12, further comprising modifying the length of the base by removing a portion of the base at a predetermined score line.
 14. A method according to claim 12, further comprising adjusting the slope of the drain product relative to grade.
 15. A method according to claim 12, wherein implanting said drain product includes applying a downward force on said drain product using an ancillary tool. 